Code of Student Community Standards

1. Rights and Responsibilities of Community Members

1.1 Our Community Rights & Responsibility

All community members have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the core values embraced by the College community and reflected in its various codes and policies.

All community members have a responsibility to be aware of policies, codes and laws of the land that guide expectations of conduct. Community members are responsible for ensuring that their guests also adhere to these expectations. Individual accountability is essential to the student experience and the Code. Ignorance, anger, alcohol or substance abuse will not excuse misconduct.

All community members have a responsibility to utilize informal resolution pathways when possible to do so. Where this expectation is violated or not possible, a community member has the right to engage a formal process.

All community members have a right to make a complaint against a student who violates their right to a safe and welcoming educational environment.

All community members have a responsibility to make complaints and/or report incidents that are knowingly true.

All community members have a right to feel safe to make a complaint under the Code without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

All community members are encouraged to call a College official and/or medical professional for assistance for themselves or for community members who are dangerously under the influence of drugs or alcohol or affected by violence. No student seeking medical treatment for themselves or others for the above will be subject to discipline. Support and harm reduction strategies will be provided to the student(s).

All community members have a responsibility to report incidents of student conduct when there may be a risk of harm, a possible violation of the Code or an impact to the dignity of any community member. Community members may inform any staff or faculty member of an incident, and they in turn will provide the information to their respective Associate Dean, the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Student Community Standards or The Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Diversity, as appropriate.

All community members have a right to be protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These rights are subject to limitations as described by law and some activities (rights) that are acceptable in a public place may not be appropriate in certain contexts in an institution of higher education.

All community members have a right to have the Code as well as all other policies and regulations adhered to, in order to ensure a safe and positive learning environment.

All students have a right to procedural fairness in the investigation and determination of responsibility as it relates to the Code. These rights include:

1. The right to a fair process including being made aware of and given an opportunity to respond to, correct or contradict any information available, in person and/or in writing.
2. The right to reasons; a rationale for any decisions made under this policy.
3. The right to appeal based on the conditions explained in Section 5 of the Code.
4. The right to have an advisor and/or support person of their choice present at any stage of the process, if desired.

1.2 The Role & Responsibilty of Campus Partners

I. Department of Public Safety (Security)

The role of the Department of Public Safety is to proactively prepare for and actively address situations where institutional policies may be violated, and/or where any member of the community may be at risk by overseeing the threat assessment processes. When the Department of Public Safety is informed or otherwise becomes aware of an incident, they will take appropriate immediate action, including interim measures and recommend an investigative process, if necessary. The Department of Public Safety may also ask a community member or visitor to leave campus for failing to provide proper identification while on College property and/or not complying with the directions of Security personnel. In addition, they may involve other departments as needed to fully address the community impact. The Director of Public Safety or designate may serve as a Complainant for incidents that present an immediate or ongoing risk to the community or to an individual community member in order to minimize the risk of harm.

To address minor incidents, Public Safety Guards (Security) may issue a written warning (Violation Notice “VN”) which will serve as the imposed sanction. The VN will indicate that the student must contact the Office of Student Community Standards within two (2) business days should they disagree with the content of the notice. Acceptance of the VN indicates that the student accepts responsibility and waives the right to an appeal. Students who choose to appeal a VN will have an Investigating Officer from the Office of Student Community Standards assigned to the incident for review. The Department of Public Safety reserves the right to file a complaint with the Office of Student Community Standards under the Code should a student receive two or more Violation Notices during their time as a student.

If made aware by formal authorities or shared by the respective student, the College will uphold any legal conditions or terms placed on a community member by law enforcement authorities.

II. Office of Student Community Standards

The Office of Student Community Standards promotes the rights, well-being and safety of community members. Within the scope of the Code, the Office of Student Community Standards is also responsible for the investigation and resolution of incidents that cannot be informally resolved, and which require more than an immediate written or verbal warning. Where possible, the goal of the investigation will be to determine an outcome that will serve as a learning/developmental opportunity for the student, and reinforce the core values of the College. Punitive measures, including suspension or expulsion may be taken, but are not the primary intention of the Code process, as set out in Section 4.

III. The Student Support & Intervention Team

The Student Support and Intervention Team (SSIT) is a multidisciplinary team that addresses student behaviour concerns through assessment, engagement and outreach to maintain a safe and supportive environment for the Humber community. Their goal is to provide proactive support, where possible, to students demonstrating concerning behaviours, and to streamline institutional responses to complex behavioural concerns. The Student Support and Intervention Team shares responsibility for supporting student success and campus safety through collaborative decision-making. The team accepts referrals from faculty, staff, students and community members. In some cases the team assists students in coordinating a voluntary withdrawal from Humber College. The team also renders involuntary withdrawal decisions and designates return to study protocols and/or conditions. The Co-Chair(s) of the SSIT may make referrals to the Office of Student Community Standards and as such serve as a Complainant for incidents or matters that require investigation and/or formal resolution.

IV. Academic Faculties

Faculty and staff will take reasonable steps to address student behaviour within an academic setting with the student or group of students involved. Where there is information to demonstrate the need for a more formal and documented follow-up, faculty and staff will consult with their respective Program Coordinator/Head and/or Associate Dean. Ongoing student conduct and/or documented incidents that merit a direct intervention or formal process are listed within the Code as Prohibited Conduct, Section 2, and may be referred to the Office of Student Community Standards for assistance in guiding the resolution process or directly to the Department of Public Safety for immediate action and further investigation.

Faculty and staff may take the following steps to address classroom behaviours without involving the Office of Student Community Standards or the formal Code process;

1. Verbal Warning: Staff or faculty may issue a verbal warning and may require a student to leave an area should their behaviour be disruptive.
2. Temporary Removal: Staff or faculty may ask a student to leave (short-term) an area on campus following a verbal warning in order to address the immediate situation.
3. On Notice: An administrative staff member, typically the Associate Dean/Program Head, may issue a written warning to a student outlining the need for corrective action regarding specific behaviour(s), the impact of such behaviour(s) and may identify necessary next steps to avoid engaging the formal Code process.

Incidents of academic integrity will be referred to procedures outlined in the Academic Regulations (Humber College) or the Academic Calendar (University of Guelph-Humber).

V. The University of Guelph-Humber

Guelph-Humber and Humber are committed to working collaboratively in the resolution of student conduct and/or concerns. Guelph-Humber community members have a responsibility to be aware of policies that guide student conduct as outlined within this document and the University of Guelph Policy on Non-Academic Misconduct, in addition to the Human Rights Policy. The Office of Student Community Standards maintains a working relationship with the University of Guelph-Humber department of Student Services. Guelph-Humber community members are encouraged to consult with Guelph-Humber Student Services or the Humber Office of Student Community Standards to discuss resolution pathways and/or student concerns.

VI. The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion

Humber is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. The College has the right, as well as the legal and moral responsibility, to ensure that all community members are treated fairly, equitably, and respectfully. A function of The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion is to assist the institution in resolving complaints based on the seventeen (17) grounds of discrimination and psychological harassment as outlined in Humber’s Human Rights Policy, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. If a student indicates that they have witnessed or may have experienced a Human Rights violation by another student, they are encouraged to engage the Office of Student Community Standards. If the student has experienced a Human Rights violation by an employee, they are encouraged to engage the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion.

VII. The Dispute Resolution Clinic

IGNITE Students Union, in partnership with the College, offers guidance and conflict coaching for students. Representatives from the College’s Alternative Dispute Resolution postgraduate program are available to listen and assist in resolving peer-to-peer based conflicts, and serve as an Advisor to the Code or academic appeal processes.

VIII. Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness

The role of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE) is to provide support and guidance to employees, including student employees, on matters related to employment and/or workplace accommodation. HROE may be consulted in cases where the complainant and/or respondent is an employee and the alleged behaviour(s) has an impact on the workplace.

2. Prohibited Conduct

The purpose of the Code is to define the responsibility of all students to act in a manner that respects the rights, safety and well-being of others. Below is a list of prohibited conduct; behaviour that does not align with the values of the College community and as such violates the Code of Student Community Standards. Based on a continuum of relative harm to or impact on the rights of others, the list of prohibited conduct is divided into four levels. This list is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive.

2.1 Level 1

Incidents classified as Level 1 have a limited impact on the rights or academic experience of others, but may create a disturbance or impact the operation of the campus community. Such incidents include, but are not limited to:

1. Smoking tobacco, cannabis or other substance including the use of all types of
   e-cigarettes, vaping or any other device used to emulate the act of smoking
2. Creating a disturbance in a public place such as unreasonable noise or non-threatening behaviour
3. Failure to properly monitor the conduct of a visitor
4. Use or possession of illegal drugs, controlled substances, and/or prescription drugs not prescribed to the person in possession of these drugs

2.2 Level 2

Incidents classified as Level 2 have a significant impact on the rights or academic experience of others, but may not pose a threat or danger to other individuals in the community. Such incidents include, but are not limited to:

1. Disruptive behaviour; defined as inciting someone to prevent or preventing others from carrying out their legitimate activities, in or out of an academic setting
2. Disorderly or indecent conduct
3. Unauthorized entry, use or use for reasons other than intended or generally accepted, of Humber facilities or equipment
4. Theft or damage to property belonging to the College
5. Not complying with the directions of or providing false information to a Humber official (e.g. during a critical/emergency incident, when a witness to an incident), including Public Safety Guards (Security), acting in their capacity as an employee
6. Assisting or failing to reasonably respond/intervene to anyone engaged or committing prohibited conduct
7. Failure to comply with a sanction imposed by the Code, other policy or regulation recognized by Humber
8. Misrepresentation associated with institutional processes or activities
9. Contravention of The Liquor License Act of Ontario or The Cannabis Control Act (Ontario)

2.3 Level 3

Incidents classified as Level 3 have a significant impact on the rights or academic experiences of others, and in addition pose a threat or danger to individuals in the community. Such incidents include, but are not limited to:

1. Speech, or expression which constitutes harassment, a threat or hate speech
2. Conduct, including bullying or coercion, which threatens the health and safety of anyone, including oneself
3. Hazing – activities endangering or seeming to endanger the mental or physical health and safety of individuals for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with any campus club, group, team or organization
4. Unauthorized use, recording of or dissemination of information, including audio, visual or digital content or images of an individual that is unwelcome and/or known or ought reasonably to be known to cause harm or distress
5. Obtaining, accessing or disclosing personal or confidential information pertaining to a member of the community without that person’s consent
6. Making false allegations, engaging in a reprisal under the Code or otherwise engaging in vexatious conduct
7. Repeated or significant disruptive behaviour causing hardship to institutional resources, in or out of an academic setting

2.4 Level 4

Incidents classified as Level 4 pose a danger or threat to individuals, are in many cases illegal, and in most cases have already caused physical or psychological harm. Such incidents include, but are not limited to:

1. Sexual assault/violence as defined in the Sexual Violence Policy
2. Assault, threats of harm or intimidation, inciting or facilitating acts of violence
3. Harassment or discrimination against an individual or group based on any of the prohibited grounds: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offenses (in employment only), marital status, family status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or receipt of public assistance (in accommodation only)
4. Tampering with emergency facilities including life safety, fire equipment or alarms
5. Intentionally creating hazardous conditions that put the community at risk
6. Possession with intent to distribute and/or distribution of illegal drugs, controlled substances, non-prescription drugs, and/or prescription drugs not prescribed to the person in possession of these drugs
7. Possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons or replicas or chemicals not expressly authorized by Humber or otherwise a part of an academic program
8. Misuse of or possession of dangerous objects and substances without express written permission by the Department of Public Safety
9. Forgery, misuse, duplication or alteration of any document, record or Humber brand for the purpose of personal, monetary or academic gain within the College
10. Failure to comply with a law enforcement officer or to sanctions imposed by law related to Humber participation

3. Process for Addressing Complaints and Violations

All complaints and potential violations of the Code shall be administered in accordance with the Code of Student Community Standards Investigation, Adjudication, Sanction, and Appeal Procedure.